Nests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs 



York about the middle of March; the same hole may be used for 

 many years. 



368a. Florida Barred Owl : S. n. alleni Ridgw. 



Breeding Range — Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. 



A larger and darker sub-species of the more northern barred 

 owl, having the toes but scantily feathered. Nesting habits are 

 probably identical, two eggs being the number most frequently 

 laid. 



372. Saw-whet Owl; Acadian Owl: Nyctala acadica 



(Gmel.) 



Adult — Upper parts grayish, streaked and spotted with white ; 

 under parts white, with few broad streaks of grayish or red- 

 dish brown ; legs and feet fully feathered ; no ear tufts. 

 Length — 8.00. 



Breeding Range — Northern New York and northern New England, 

 rarely in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 



The white eggs are laid in hollows in trees, deserted wood- 

 peckers' and squirrels' nests, also in crows' and even herons' nests ; 

 rarely in boxes made of bark and fastened to a tree, at some height 

 from the ground. There is nothing in the way of a nest, a few 

 feathers from the parent bird being sometimes used. 4 to 6 and 

 rarely 7 eggs are laid. Size — 1.20 x 1.02. 



These diminutive owls are easily recognised by their size 

 alone, as they are the smallest of the owls found in the Eastern 

 States ; they are strictly nocturnal, and may be seen during the 

 day sitting on the branch of hemlock, spruce, or other trees afford- 

 ing shade from the bright daylight. 



The breeding season begins about the end of March. 



373, Screech Owl : Megascops asio (Linn.) 



Adult— ^xHn&c red or gray, independent of age or sex ; every gra- 

 dation between the extreme red and gray phases may be 

 found. Extreme red phase : Upper parts brilliant rufous, 

 streaked with black ; under parts white or very light gray, 

 streaked and cross-marked with black, particularly on the 



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